What to do to make lilies of the valley last longer. Cut flowers: what to do to make flowers last longer

It's a shame when a gifted bouquet of flowers fades after just a couple of days. But many cut flowers can remain fresh for a week or even two weeks. How to keep cut flowers fresh?

In order for the bouquet to retain its freshness and attractiveness for a long time, it is necessary to take into account the time of cutting and the flowering phase in which the cut flower is located. Most colors best to cut early in the morning, when they are saturated with night moisture, or late in the evening, when evening dew has already fallen. During the day, it is better to cut flowers in cloudy weather.

Some flowers are best cut when they are in the buds(tulips, irises, gladioli, peonies, roses, lilies), others - fully bloomed (dahlias, asters, marigolds, phlox).

Different flowers can coexist in a bouquet, but not everyone agrees to live in the same vase. Therefore, in order to extend the life of the bouquet, you need to remember that, for example, Tulips and daffodils cannot be placed together- the tulips will wither. But the tulips will be happy to be near the cypress tree - the cypress tree helps them last longer.

Do not place lilies in the same vase with daisies, poppies or cornflowers- they accelerate the withering of these flowers. Therefore, it is better to place lilies in a separate vase. It is also better to put carnations, roses, bird cherry, lilies of the valley in a separate vase– these flowers destroy any neighbors.

A cut bouquet cannot be immediately placed in cold water if the room is hot, and flowers cannot be placed in warm water immediately from frost. It is necessary to give the flowers a little time to adapt to the change in ambient temperature.

If you just put cut flowers in a vase with water and immediately forget about them, then you don’t have to think about the long life of the bouquet. Before placing flowers in a vase, they need to be properly prepared.

Firstly, the bouquet must be placed in a vase, completely emptying it from all kinds of auxiliary means: twine or wire, tape, wrapping paper, tapes, etc.

And secondly, it is necessary to remove the lower leaves of the flowers that will fall into the water, and update slices on the stems. For plants with a hard stem, the tip of the stem must be split to a depth of 3-4 cm and a piece of match inserted into the split - this will enhance moisture absorption. Soft plant stems should be cut at an angle with a sharp knife.

Be sure to trim flower stems under water, for example, in a saucepan or bowl. This is necessary to ensure that air does not get inside the stems and clog the vessels of the plants. It is best to carry out this procedure in warm water, with the exception of chrysanthemums and bouvardia - they require cold water.

Some flowers secrete so-called milky sap, which can clog the conducting vessels of their stems. To prevent this from happening, after the first cut under water, the tips of the stems should be immersed in boiling water for a few seconds, making sure that the hot steam does not get on the flowers. You can also heat the tips of the stems over the flame of a match or lighter until they turn brown, and only then put the flowers in water.

Cut flowers will last longer if special nutrients are added to the water in which they stand. Such preparations can be purchased in the store in the form of powders or ready-made solutions, or you can replace them with improvised means.

The water in the vase can be sweetened at the rate of 1 tbsp. sugar per 1 liter of water - this will prolong the life of freesias, carnations, roses, tulips, and asters. Cyclamen, lilies of the valley, amaryllis and clematis, in turn, do not tolerate sugar, so for these plants there is no need to sweeten the water in the vase.

You should also add some kind of antiseptic to the solution to protect the flowers from bacteria. A wood corner, a silver coin or ring, washing powder on the tip of a knife, potassium permanganate (a couple of crystals per liter of water) or aspirin (1 tablet per 1 liter) are suitable as an antiseptic. Aspirin is better suited for roses, dahlias and chrysanthemums, and potassium permanganate is better for daffodils and tulips.

The acidity of the solution in which they are located plays an important role in prolonging the life of cut flowers. You can regulate acidity by adding various acids to water, for example, citric, ascorbic, acetic, etc.

Even an alcohol solution can keep cut flowers fresh longer. For example, asters and orchids do not mind at all a spoonful of alcohol per liter of water.

For flowers, it is best to use boiled, filtered, or at least simply settled water. room temperature. The water in the vase should be changed daily, and if signs of wilting appear, twice a day. Dried or rotten leaves and flowers should be removed immediately.

Every day the vase should be washed with soap and rinsed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. At night, the bouquet should be immersed in a bucket of water, after wrapping the flower heads in paper. In the morning the bouquet will again delight you with its freshness.

A vase of flowers cannot be placed near heating appliances, televisions or computers. You should avoid exposing the bouquet to direct sunlight and protect the flowers from sudden changes in temperature.

In the warm season, lilies of the valley are actively sold on city streets. No one can resist the beauty and aroma of a delicate flower, so many people have small bouquets at home. However, lilies of the valley cannot stay in water for long, and it is sad to watch them wither. What can be done to extend the life of cut branches? There are several ways.

Proper storage of lilies of the valley after cutting

Garden lily of the valley is cut after the lower flowers have fully opened and the color of the buds has changed from green to white. The buds should change color all the way to the top of the branch. For preservation, cut bouquets are wrapped in paper leaves and kept in water. The paper helps preserve the pleasant aroma. It is not recommended to store bouquets of lilies of the valley in a solution with sugar. Cut flowers can last from three to seven days. Various tricks and secrets will help extend this period of time.

How to protect a bouquet in a vase from withering

To make lilies of the valley last longer in a vase, they resort to tricks:

flowers of other species are not placed in the same container with lilies of the valley, because the snow-white inflorescences do not tolerate such proximity;
You should not place a vase with a bouquet near an open window through which a draft blows. There is no place for lilies of the valley near a fan or air conditioner;
Hot direct rays of the sun negatively affect lilies of the valley, causing burns on the delicate leaves. For this reason, you should not place the vase on the windowsill or in places where hot rays reach;
To fill the vase, it is recommended to use clean water from the tap, which has been left to settle for several hours. While the water settles, the lilies of the valley are wrapped in a soft, moistened cloth and placed in the refrigerator;
flowers prefer a high level of humidity, so the bouquet is sprayed with a spray bottle several times a day using cool, settled water;
The branches are cut directly in the water along an oblique line. This will prevent plant rotting and exposure to pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms. To ensure a greater flow of water to the flowers, the stem is split slightly with your hands;
The water in the vase is changed daily, making sure to clean the walls from plaque and dirt. During each fluid change, a new cut is made, removing a centimeter from each stem;
Leaves in water are removed to avoid rotting. To figure out which leaves to remove, place the bouquet in a vase and then remove those that reach the water;
at night, flowers are placed in a cool, shaded room;
a charcoal tablet added to water helps the bouquet maintain its pristine freshness for a long period;
“shock therapy” will stop the beginning of plant wilting. It includes several manipulations. First, the flowers are held under water flowing from the tap, cutting the stems a few centimeters. The next step is to soak the stems in hot water (about eighty degrees) for a few minutes. Finally, the bouquet is wrapped in soft material and placed in cold water for thirty minutes (we lower the stems, not the flowers). After this procedure, the flowers will come to life, straighten out and become beautiful and fresh again. The plants are again kept in a vase with settled water.

How to store lily of the valley plant material

Healing plant materials are flowers, leaves and grass. Lily of the valley is collected in dry weather, when the dew has dried. Grass and flowers are collected during flowering, and leaves are collected before flowering or at the very beginning. Cut the raw material with a sharp knife, leaving a plant three to five centimeters high in the soil. You cannot collect the plant with your hands, tearing it off or pulling it out: after such manipulations, the lily of the valley dies.

Dry the raw materials on the same day, as soon as possible, to prevent wilting, which causes the death of glycosides. Plants are placed in dryers with a temperature of forty to fifty degrees or placed on mesh racks in a room with open windows. Dried herbs can be stored for two years, and flowers - one. It is packed in paper bags. Due to the toxicity of the plant, its raw materials should not be allowed to fall into containers with other medicinal herbs during storage. The healing raw materials of lily of the valley are stored in a room with good ventilation and lack of dampness. The temperature should not rise above fifteen degrees, and the humidity should be at thirty to forty percent. It is preferable to put flowers in boxes, and grass and leaves in bags or bales.

Lily of the valley brings many benefits to humans: you can admire the snow-white inflorescences in your own home, and the medicinal raw materials help with many health problems. By observing the conditions for proper storage of cut bouquets of lily of the valley and its dried parts, you will receive a wonderful interior decoration and an effective medicine.

There was a time, let's say 125 years ago, when the idea of growing a fragile lily of the valley in a pot on the window did not seem anything remarkable. But now few people repeat such an experiment. We are accustomed to growing plants in open ground and have forgotten the flower magic of indoor plants. In this article we will tell you how to grow your own lilies of the valley in a window. But you will have to act quickly before the ground freezes.

Lily of the valley sprouts used to be commonly included in gardening magazines from 1940-1970. These days they are hard to find and expensive. The highest quality sprouts are imported from France, but unless you know a French florist, you have little chance. Fortunately, the lily of the valley cannot be called a “timid” garden resident. 2 years ago we decided to grow our own plant, and we succeeded

If you are not planning a trip to Paris this winter, you can still enjoy the scent of lily of the valley in January or February. It's like a fairy tale, believe me! And below we will tell you how to bring the subtle aroma of lily of the valley into your home.

Dig up lilies of the valley in your garden

If you already have lilies of the valley growing in your garden, you won't lose anything if you dig up a square meter of roots in the fall. Lilies of the valley reproduce so well that even your neighbors will willingly share their roots with you. Dig up the roots in late fall, just before the first hard frost. Separate the shoots and roots from each other with your hands (don’t worry that the lump of earth will crumble, then you will plant the lilies of the valley in a pot in new soil) Save as many sprouts as fit into the pot. Each sprout should end with a root. Choose pots made of thin plastic. 2 square meters of roots is enough for at least 4 pots.

Planting lilies of the valley in a pot for subsequent forcing

Lilies of the valley are not very whimsical; ordinary mixed soil will suit them. When the sprouts are already planted in the pot, leave them for several weeks before forcing them. You can store the pots outside or in a shed at above-zero temperatures. It is advisable to store them until December or January.

Lily of the valley sprouts grown for sale begin to appear in December and are ready for forcing as soon as you receive them. Soak all the roots in water at room temperature for a couple of hours, and then plant them in a pot at least 8 cm deep. The tips of the shoots should rise above the surface of the soil; in nature, lilies of the valley grow close to the surface of the earth

Cuttings dug up in the garden will germinate better if kept at temperatures close to freezing for at least 5 weeks. You can start forcing at the end of December - beginning of January, if the shoots were previously stored in the cold. If it snows, move the pots to a shed, garage or shed out of the way of snow. And although lilies of the valley are considered frost-resistant flowers, avoid freezing the soil in the pots.

Forcing lilies of the valley in a warm room

Lilies of the valley are best grown in a warm place. Imagine what the weather usually is like in May. Frequent precipitation alternates with warm and sunny days. If the “climate” in the room is colder at night, lilies of the valley will appreciate it. If you want to start forcing as soon as possible, without waiting for December, the plants will not die, but will grow more slowly than those that have been in the cold for the allotted time. Let's just say that the result will not be earlier than the middle, or even the end of winter. The closer to spring, the faster the lilies of the valley begin to grow.

Plants that are the very first to be driven out in winter can produce an arrow with a flower even before the foliage appears. This way the pot will have an unfinished look. Plants removed later (in February and March) will produce foliage and flowers at the same time. One way or another, in both cases you will get beautiful fragrant flowers in your pot! We can use moss to cover the soil to make the composition decorative.

Another way to get lilies of the valley in a pot is to order them in our store. We received these lilies of the valley from Holland directly with the roots, and we transplanted ready-made flowering plants into the ground. Therefore, the lifespan of such compositions is no more than 10 days. However, you can try to save the roots until spring and plant them in open ground.

Recently, this modest flower has become very popular in landscape design. Several garden species of lilies of the valley have been developed, distinguished by their size and color. To grow in a pot at your dacha or at home, it is not necessary to have a cultivated variety; you can dig up the plant in the forest in late autumn or try to plant seeds. Of course, you will have to tinker, but the snow-white beauty of spring lilies of the valley (pictured) is worth the effort.

Taxonomy of lily of the valley and occurrence in nature

Lily of the valley, oddly enough, comes from the asparagus family. In the botanical classification, it is represented by a single species - May lily of the valley, but geographical subspecies are also distinguished:

Far Eastern (Keiske);
mountain;
Transcaucasian

There are no significant differences in morphology between them, the only thing is that these subspecies are territorially isolated from the main one. In the wild, lily of the valley is distributed throughout the European part of the Russian Federation, the Far East and Transbaikalia. The population halo covers Asia Minor and North America. The plant is classified as a protected species, as its numbers are actively declining.

May lily of the valley

The Latin name for lily of the valley sounds like “lily of the valleys,” which well reflects its favorite places of settlement. You can find lily of the valley thickets in forests, in clearings and clearings, in lowlands near the water. Lily of the valley is very recognizable by its bright green oblong leaves and peduncles with white fragrant bells. In the middle zone, flowering begins in May and lasts about twenty days. This happens at different times in each region.

Lily of the valley is a lower tier plant; it loves diffused light and light partial shade. Its stems reach a height of about 30 cm. After flowering, fruits are formed - round berries containing seeds.

Attention! All parts of lily of the valley are poisonous, as they contain convallatoxin in large quantities.

Procurement of material and artificial forcing of lilies of the valley

The easiest way to get new plants is from rhizomes with flower buds. They can be easily distinguished from leaf ones by their rounded tops. In the fall (no later than October), the rhizomes are dug up, tied into bunches of several pieces and placed vertically in washed river sand.

Advice. Instead of sand, you can use wet sphagnum moss for storage.

The containers are left to overwinter in a cool place: a cellar, a compartment for vegetables in the refrigerator (no more than +2°C). Only with early forcing (December, early January) are lilies of the valley frozen three weeks before planting (-3...-5°C). Thawing is carried out gradually, thereby simulating a spring thaw. To do this, prepare a bath (+30°C), the water in which is changed several times.

Lily of the valley root

The best month for forcing lilies of the valley is the last calendar month of winter. By this time, the rhizomes have already woken up and are ready for planting in nutrient soil. The sprouts in containers are placed close to each other, watered abundantly and, covered with a transparent pact, placed in a warm, bright place. The greenhouses are shaded from direct sunlight. When the first green leaf appears, the shelter is removed and the temperature is lowered.

Attention! Watering is carried out only with water heated to +25°C.

Late forcing takes place in March. Typically, such plants do not produce abundant flowering. To prevent flower stalks from getting lost among the foliage, unexpanded leaves are removed with nail scissors.

Lilies of the valley in a pot need to be looked after: watered, sprayed, and mulched with peat on the top layer. Flowering occurs in less than a month. With the appearance of the first buds, lilies of the valley are provided with an air temperature of no more than +18°C. It is not advisable to propagate May lily of the valley by seeds.

Lilies of the valley in a summer cottage

The forest flower loves well-moistened, nutritious soils. It is better to choose a place in the shade of large trees or bushes. Since the plant has a creeping root system, it will grow throughout the garden without outside help. To limit growth, plastic borders from specialized stores are used.

The place for planting lily of the valley is prepared in advance. Fertilizers are applied:

Deciduous humus or peat (10 kg per 1 sq. m).
Mineral additives (superphosphate 100 g and potassium salt 40 g per 1 sq. m).

Planting grooves or holes are made, the depth of which depends on the size of the rhizomes. The sprouts are covered with a 1–2 cm layer of soil. About 10 cm is laid between the plants.

Lilies of the valley do well in the shade of trees

Planted in the fall, lilies of the valley will delight you with flowers in the first spring. Some people prefer to plant rhizomes “before winter.” Lilies of the valley tolerate the most severe frosts - down to -40°C and do not need shelter.

Attention! For varietal lilies of the valley, some peculiarities in care are possible.

Lilies of the valley are very fond of organic fertilizers; they can be applied immediately after rooting. Plants will need minerals only after a year. In one place, May lilies of the valley can grow and bloom for more than 10 years.

At first, the planting will have to be weeded and loosened; an overgrown meadow of lilies of the valley does not need this.

Lilies of the valley in landscape design

There are many interesting varieties of lily of the valley that will decorate a spring flower bed. Plants were obtained not only with traditional white flowers, but also with pink, double bells. There are differences in leaf color and inflorescence size. The most famous varieties:

Aurea (yellow foliage);
Flore Pleno (white double flowers);
Grandiflora (white flowers, large wide leaves);
Green Tapestry (yellow-green foliage);
Rosea (pale pink flowers, profusely flowering variety).

Lilies of the valley in landscape design

Even after flowering has finished, lilies of the valley do not lose their attractiveness. Therefore, you can decorate garden paths, empty spaces near gazebos and benches in the yard with lush green bushes. Lilies of the valley are combined with the same shade-loving and moisture-loving plants, for example, with forget-me-nots, hostas, and speedwell. The main thing is that the root system of the “neighbors” is not very extensive and deep.

On your summer cottage you can create your own corner of untouched nature. Plant lilies of the valley between coniferous or deciduous trees. You can add ferns and low ornamental shrubs to the composition.

Delicate lilies of the valley in a garden plot or in pots on a window will not leave even the most experienced gardeners indifferent.

What you need to know about lilies of the valley: video

The lily of the valley flower (also known as silver grass, convalia, juvenile, forest tongue, lapushnik, myt grass, hare's ears and raven) belongs to the herbaceous perennial plants of the genus “Lily of the valley”. The culture reaches about 30 cm in length. Lily of the valley (lat. Convallaria) prefers dark areas. The leaves of the plant have an oblong structure. The inflorescences include about 15 bright white water lilies. The flowering period lasts from May to June. Lily of the valley has a pronounced delicate aroma. In its natural environment, the plant can be found in clearings, ravines and forest edges. Widely used by gardeners to decorate plots. The plant is also known for its healing properties.

How to care at home

Bell-shaped inflorescences of lilies of the valley.

Lighting

For the first month after planting, a young lapushnik needs protection from solar radiation. It is recommended to cover the plant in an open area. Indoors, move the container further from an open window.

A strengthened lily of the valley needs to be provided with adequate lighting. Direct sunlight has a detrimental effect on the development of culture.

Temperature

Growth and abundant flowering can be stimulated by stratification (exposure to temperature). The convalia rhizome should be placed in the refrigerator for several days.

The optimal environmental temperature for plant development should be between + 20 and + 24 degrees.

A temperature of about + 27 degrees will help reduce the forcing time.

Proper watering

Lilies of the valley at all stages of development require regular moistening of the substrate.

It is necessary to constantly maintain the humidity of the substrate. The amount of watering depends on weather conditions. During the hot season, it is necessary to moisten the soil at least 3 times a week. In calm, cloudy weather, you can reduce the number of waterings to once.

Humidity

Lily of the valley is a moisture-loving plant. You need to periodically spray water at room temperature onto the flower. It is important to maintain air humidity levels between 55-70%.

Transfer

For replanting, rhizomes are used, on which there are rudiments of leaves and buds. Before planting, it is necessary to thoroughly loosen the soil. It is advisable to add humus to the soil.

You need to carefully straighten the bent ends of the roots. It is advisable to cover the buds of lilies of the valley with a thin layer of soil - no more than 1.5 cm.

Lilies of the valley are very difficult to tolerate transplantation.

Convalia should be replanted in September or early October. The plant does not tolerate changes in soil and container. It is recommended to initially select a suitable place for growing lily of the valley.

Trimming

It will be necessary to periodically clean the crop from damaged areas.

Lily of the valley tolerates sudden changes in temperature and severe frosts. In the spring, after the snow melts, you need to use a small garden rake to collect the leaves.

Containment of growth

Lilies of the valley are able to cover a large area. A fragile young plant with graceful inflorescences has “punchy” qualities. The plant is capable of destroying large shrubs and trees. A powerful root system entwines the surface of the substrate.

In an open area, convalia are capable of capturing a large area.

To prevent the encroachment of a large area, it is recommended to limit the area with slate leaves or iron material. The depth of the fence should be about 50 centimeters.

Lilies of the valley in open ground

To grow convalia outdoors, you need to choose a suitable place. Garden lily of the valley prefers uniform humidity and shade. It is advisable to plant the plant in the shade of other shrubs or trees. The miniature plant will need protection from wind and drafts.

In neutral soil, lily of the valley can actively develop for more than 10 years. Lime must be added to slightly acidic soil. It is advisable to periodically fertilize the soil with manure and peat compost. You can buy superphosphate and potassium sulfate.

To grow convalia, it is necessary to prepare the planting site in advance.

For planting, it is necessary to prepare the site in advance. A year before planting, the soil should be dug up at a depth of 35 cm. The area should be covered with agrofibre and constantly cleared of weeds. You can also plant legumes.

Lilies of the valley should be planted in October or mid-April. For convalia it is necessary to make small holes. Silverberry sprouts with parts of the rhizome should be placed in the holes. The length of the rhizome should be about 7 cm. You should choose planting material that has two buds in the apical part. The rounded top of the sprout measuring more than half a centimeter guarantees flowering this year.

It is necessary to embed the soil to a depth of 3 cm. The interval between the grooves should be at least 20 cm. Densely planted sprouts are often affected by gray rot. Lily of the valley must be watered generously with warm, settled water.

After a month, when the lilies of the valley take root, you need to feed the plant with organic matter. During the dry period, the plant will not lose its decorative appearance. The formation of new inflorescences may completely stop. It is necessary to thin out the convalia once every 3 years.

You can find out all the features of the flower from the video:

Features of cultivation

Substrate

Lilies of the valley prefer loose soil with high breathability. It is advisable to prepare loamy, well-drained soil.

A peat mixture from garden nurseries is ideal for indoor plants.

For container lilies of the valley, you can purchase ready-made soil mixture.

Top dressing

The soil for convalia needs to be fed periodically. Depleted soil negatively affects the development and flowering of lilies of the valley.

Indoor plants can be watered with a solution of water-based complex mineral fertilizer.

Minerals should be used for feeding.

Outdoors, a mixture of rotted manure and leaf humus should be used for the top layer of soil. Compost has the ability to retain moisture.

Convalia in a flower pot

Lilies of the valley can also be grown in a container. The container should be prepared taking into account the size of the rhizome. In the fall, you need to plant lilies of the valley in a pot with nutritious soil. The container should be placed in a cool and dark room. The average air temperature should be from + 2 to + 4 degrees.

Lilies of the valley in a container.

In mid-January, you need to take the lilies of the valley to the windowsill. It is advisable to choose the side of the building with diffused sunlight.

When the plant has formed green foliage, you can start fertilizing. Applying mineral fertilizers about 3 times a month will prolong the abundant flowering of lilies of the valley.

After the inflorescences wither, it is necessary to transfer the convalia to a cool room. At the first sign of yellowing of the leaves, reduce watering.

Problems and diseases of convalia

The plant is most often affected by vegetable rot. Fungicides will be needed for treatment.

Infection of lilies of the valley with vegetable rot.

As a preventative measure, ensure good soil drainage. It is necessary to constantly clear the area of weeds. The culture needs to be thinned out as necessary.

The influence of lilies of the valley

The fragile plant is very poisonous. Miniature inflorescences that seem harmless at first glance can lead to serious consequences. Blooming convalia in the bedroom can cause migraines, difficulty breathing, rhinitis, swelling and other allergic manifestations. It is not recommended to grow the plant in a house with children.

The aroma of convalia can cause poisoning.

Lily of the valley berries contain a high concentration of a toxic substance. Eating the fruit causes poisoning. It is necessary to rinse the stomach, take the sorbent and seek help from a medical center.

Reproduction technology

Lilies of the valley can be propagated by seeds and vegetatively (cut rhizomes).

Convalia from seeds is able to form the first inflorescences only after 7 years. Seeds are sometimes sown in autumn. Planting material gives a low percentage of germination. You can plant the seeds in a container. The resulting sprouts must be carefully protected from exposure to sunlight. It is recommended to constantly moisten the soil. During the first two years, transplanting young convalia can destroy fragile shoots.

Lily of the valley seeds.

For vegetative propagation you will need to divide the root. The procedure should be carried out in the fall (before the first cold snap) or early spring. In the first year of the life cycle, only two leaves will form. Flowering will occur on average after 3 years.

To breed lily of the valley, you will need to plant the top of the rhizome in the prepared substrate. The mixture must include clean sand and clay soil. The soil should be thoroughly loosened. When planting, it is advisable to feed the soil with leaf humus. It is necessary to maintain a distance between seedlings of about 15-20 cm.

Rhizome division.

With the help of forcing you can get flowering convalias even in winter. Large-flowered representatives of the culture should be prepared for the procedure. In autumn you need to cut off the top of the rhizome. The cuttings must be placed in large containers. At least ten lilies of the valley should be planted in one container.

The pot must be transferred to the greenhouse. You need to bury the container in the sand and cover it with moss on top. The ambient temperature should remain between + 30 and + 35 degrees. It is necessary to constantly monitor the moisture content of the moss. If all conditions are met, the first inflorescences will form within 3 weeks.

How to stimulate flowering

Indoors, convaliums often do not form inflorescences. To reproduce, the crop requires pollination by insects. It is advisable to move the flowerpot to an open balcony, terrace or loggia in the summer.

For lush flowering, garden lily of the valley and plants brought from natural conditions must be provided with dark conditions, uniform humidity and loamy neutral soil.

To form inflorescences, lilies of the valley need to create favorable conditions.

Under natural conditions, convalia can bloom only in the seventh year of its life cycle. After twelve years, mature, overgrown crops stop producing buds.

In a home environment, lilies of the valley form inflorescences on average after 5 years. Abundant flowering will help preserve humus and minerals.

How to choose a convalia

A packet of May lily of the valley seeds “Brilliant” weighing 0.05 g. can be purchased at a price of 46 rubles. A container with 3 pink rosea lilies of the valley, 20 cm high, is sold for 490 rubles.

Preface

This perennial plant has white flowers with a hint of pink and a rich, pleasant aroma. Of course, we are talking about garden lilies of the valley. What does planting them require, what is their care? Where to start for an inexperienced gardener?

What do lilies of the valley like and dislike?

These flowers are common in forests in clearings and edges; they grow well in moist neutral soils. The garden lily of the valley differs from its forest counterpart in its large leaves and flowers; the height of the plant is no more than 30 cm. It has fibrous roots and large oval-shaped basal leaves. The length of the dark green leaves is more than ten centimeters and the width is about five. In autumn they turn yellow and fall off. The main bud is located on the rhizome. The white flowers resemble bells and when ripe, red berries are formed. The main types of this lily of the valley: May, mountain, Keizke, Transcaucasian. The differences are insignificant: Keizke blooms late, the mountain flowers are characterized by long flowers, and the Transcaucasian inflorescence is wider.

Lilies of the valley in a summer cottage

The flowers can be white, pink, cream, and the foliage can be green, yellow, striped, speckled. So it’s worth trying to enrich your plot and plant a garden lily of the valley. Experienced flower growers draw the attention of all novice lily of the valley lovers to the following factors. The young plant takes over the territory, and to control the increase in crops, limit the plantation, install a fence 25 centimeters high and deep. The root grows quickly in width and depth. Lilies of the valley prefer a moist and dark environment. Flowers require the same conditions as in a forest in a clearing; they need a temperate climate.

Continuous darkness interferes with flowering, and oversaturation with moisture and stagnation of water negatively affect the sprouts. The species is frost-resistant, so it tolerates frost well. In the garden, choose a place near the terraces and paths. This is the most suitable option to feel the bright aroma. But for successful flowering you need to choose the right neighbors. Currant bushes, gooseberries, raspberries, and deciduous trees will provide protection from overheating and drying out. It is better to plant plants with roots near the surface of the ground nearby. Species that reproduce using whiskers are suitable. The flowers do not suppress species with small root systems. The proximity to them will give the territory a beautiful aesthetic appearance. Lilies of the valley also do not tolerate strong winds; they will not bloom in a windy area. Will protect a house, buildings or fence from the wind.

Planting wisdom and reproduction features

What can be done to improve soil properties?

if there is a lot of clay, add sand;
mix sandy soil with clay;
for acidic - prepare lime four months before planting;
humus or peat compost is useful for soil;
for nutritional value, use superphosphate (100 g/m2) and potassium sulfate (40 g/m2).

Planting lilies of the valley

Good growth will be ensured by moist, slightly acidic and neutral soils. Consider preparing the soil a year before planting flowers. To normalize the environment in the previous season, you can plant legumes, peas, and lupine. In addition to creating a good chemical balance in the soil, legume tops make good mulching material because they retain the moisture necessary for life.

Rhizomes are planted and replanted in September, since heavy rains that begin at this time have a beneficial effect on the microclimate near the garden bed. After planting, in order to prevent the soil from drying out, if nature does not help with precipitation, it is necessary to water several times and loosen it a little. Water and air easily penetrate into such a substrate. You can pre-mix the soil with leaf humus, this will be an unobtrusive replenishment of useful substances, or throw a little on top of a new plantation. Lilies of the valley are planted at a distance of 100 mm, and 250 mm are measured between rows.

The best method of propagation is division of the rhizome. At the end of summer, the sprouts are sorted. It is necessary to select separately those that are going to bloom next year and two years later. To understand this, you should look at the buds: large round ones with a diameter of 0.6 cm will give color in the next season, and thin and sharp at the top - in another year. Separate roots with unopened buds are mainly used. But you shouldn’t plant it in the soil right away; a little preparation is needed. First, the roots are soaked in water at room temperature for four hours. Then they straighten the roots, plant them with a large handful of soil in the hole, and form rows. Next, cover the roots and buds with soil. If the latter are swollen enough, they are left outside. All that remains is to press down the soil, water it, and cover it with compost-mulch.

An alternative planting is using seeds. Red small fruits of lilies of the valley are formed after flowering, and seed material is formed in them. These seeds are stratified, i.e. wrapped in a damp cloth, placed in a closed container and placed in the freezer at a temperature of 3–5 degrees. In this case, they can be stored for a month. Next, the container is filled with earth and the blanks are planted to a depth of 1.5–2 cm in the holes. They are sown in rows. The distance between flowers should not be less than 12 cm. If necessary, the rows are then thinned out.

Many seeds are sown directly into loose soil in the fall. But such a landing will not be effective. In general, growing flowering lily of the valley using seeds is difficult. In spring, the sprouts slowly develop to an adult form, forming 2–3 leaves. The next year another leaf appears. Flowering will begin only after 5-6 years. The seeds are characterized by poor germination, and besides, they are unsuitable for storage. You should also expect that a lot of material will be required for sowing, because... Only 1/5 of it will sprout.

What care will the flowers need?

Naturally, plants need compost and organic fertilizers. Humus is applied in August, and mineral fertilizers are not applied at all in the first year, but are done later. Otherwise, the flowers do not require special care in terms of feeding. In spring, fertilizers are usually applied in liquid form, and once is enough. As a result, large leaves and flowers will appear very quickly, and flower buds will form in a larger size.

Watering flowers on the site

It is important to monitor soil moisture. Its excessive dryness will lead to the death of the roots. Stagnant water and high humidity are also destructive. Therefore, water the plant throughout the summer when required. Large flowers require a lot of water to appear, but there should be no puddles. With good care, the bush blooms 3-4 times a year. It is also necessary to control the growth of weeds and remove them in a timely manner, so it is advisable to remove the grass after watering. At first, the plants need weeding every time after this operation, and when they grow, they will be able to crowd out weeds on their own. They pull out the excess near the flowers, usually with their hands, carefully, protecting the root system. During such care, there is no need to loosen the soil; if the weeds do not have time to grow, then by removing them each time, you will already create good channels for air exchange.

When the lilies of the valley have matured a little, there is no need to clean them after each watering; throughout the year, weed them twice a month. After all, not only weeds, but even the most ordinary grass significantly harms growth with its roots. Monitor the temperature, as the flowers take root and grow well in cool weather. If it’s hot, create shade; when watering, it’s better to use cooler water, but don’t even think about putting it in the refrigerator. The health of the plantation will also be improved by replanting, which is done after five years of flowering. Usually in the spring, the overgrown rhizome is divided and the bed is formed again. The roots are selected in such a way that the buds and leaves have not yet blossomed.

On average, lilies of the valley are usually grown for about 10 years, then they stop blooming. To prolong flowering, the beds are periodically renewed naturally. Part of the bed is dug up, leaving an empty space, and it is looked after in the same way as a regular bed. The vacated area is overgrown again, but with young growth. It is better to do this every three years. For the health of the garden bed, it is important to periodically restore its beauty by removing wilted and broken bushes and leaves. This helps maintain plant growth, cleanliness, and a beautiful appearance of the flower bed.

Protection from pests and diseases

An important part of care is to monitor the well-being of the flowers. The main enemies of lily of the valley are rattlers (onion and linear), as well as sawflies. These bugs eat leaves, stems and flowers. Their thick brownish mucus-covered larvae must be removed from the beds, usually carefully collected under the leaves, this is their favorite place. The preparations Aktara and Confidor will help destroy the larvae of these insects. Another not very pleasant guest is nematode worms. They affect stems and roots; diseased plants cannot be saved and must be removed from the site. Marigolds as neighbors will help get rid of this worm, or you can treat the soil with nematicides.

Aktara drug

Diseases can also be different, even if the care seems ideal. The appearance of a gray coating on the leaves indicates excessive overgrowth of plantings and soil moisture. Flowers need to be replanted, and the amount of watering must also be reduced. The reddish border is gleosporium. In case of mild damage, Topaz and Alarin-B will help, in case of serious damage, the plantings must be eliminated in order to save at least part of the plantation. Treatment with fungicidal preparations will also help.

Gray mold damage is treated with fungicides. This is a fungal disease, it spreads very quickly on both vegetables and flowers. Sick plants are dug up. Otherwise, the disease will spread to other bushes.

Collection and distillation at home

Flowers, as a rule, are not cut, but picked by hand, simply pulled up smoothly. Moreover, it is advisable to collect them, as this accelerates the growth of the plantation. Dorien and Grandiflora varieties look beautiful in a bouquet; usually 20–25 sprouts are enough. It is better to collect a bouquet before the flowers have fully opened. They are not placed in water with other flowers, because their strong aroma will overwhelm the neighbor’s, and even worse, if mixing them results in an unpleasant odor. At home, the bells are arranged on one side so that the bouquet does not look loose and careless, placed in filtered water and activated carbon is added - three tablets.

Beautiful bouquet of lilies of the valley

When the plantings have grown at the dacha, you can admire the flowers in winter, but at home. This can be achieved by forcing - creating the necessary conditions for the species in apartment conditions. What needs to be done for this? In summer - standard care, the beds are weeded, loosened and watered. And in the fall, at the first frost, strong plants are dug up and planted in another place. Sprouts with large buds are transplanted into pots. Those that do not fit are transferred to a new bed. Next year they can be used again for forcing. The remaining weak sprouts are left in their original place. In the future they will grow and strengthen. A pot for households is filled with soil with humus, sand is added, and roots are planted there. Small boxes, containers, and other containers are also suitable.

The sprouts are distributed in rows, measuring 40 mm between them, watered, and covered with sand or moss with a layer of about 100 mm. The container is placed in a cool place - a basement or loggia. The room temperature should be only 5 degrees, this preserves the necessary substances. We begin further care after two weeks, when the containers are returned to a warm room - we water the flowers with warm water, this will promote germination. The pot can be moved to the radiator, but covered with something so that the moisture does not evaporate at great speed. After two to three weeks the flower will begin to grow. Then remove the excess layer of sand. Gradually, the sprouts will begin to get used to the light; the boxes need to be placed on the windowsill and monitored for drafts. To speed up forcing, the pot is sometimes covered with a little snow and left overnight; they say that after such freezing the flowers will bloom earlier.

Use in medicine and landscape design

Lily of the valley is widely used in decorating parks and gardens. This plant is not suitable for a small round isolated flower bed, but rather finds use for a continuous covering of the soil. Looks good with ferns and aquilegia. The plant is popular among perfumers, but it is difficult to obtain a natural scent from the flowers, so chemical compounds are actively used to recreate the aroma of the flower.

Lily of the valley tincture

In medicine, cardiological drugs and choleretic agents are made from herbs and flowers; they are used for cholecystitis and cholangitis. The tincture is used as a sleeping pill. Zelenin drops calm neuroses, Korglykon is needed for injections. The drugs normalize heart function, relieve pain and swelling. All recommendations for the use of drugs should be obtained from a doctor and be careful, since the substances in such drugs can cause poisoning due to one feature - convallatoxin.

This is a poison found in plants, it is present in lily of the valley and makes it poisonous. You should wash your hands after touching flowers. Children need to be warned about the danger and not allowed to eat or put red berries in their mouths. Planting and caring for lilies of the valley does not require much effort. They can reproduce for several years in abandoned areas, but to obtain bright large flowers, you should follow the above rules. Then every spring in the garden the lily of the valley will delight you with beautiful bell flowers and an extraordinary aroma.

Lily of the valley sprouts used to be commonly included in gardening magazines from 1940-1970. These days they are hard to find and expensive. The highest quality sprouts are imported from France, but unless you know a French florist, you have little chance. Fortunately, one cannot be called a “timid” garden resident. 2 years ago we decided to grow our own plant, and we succeeded

Dig up lilies of the valley in your garden

Planting lilies of the valley in a pot for subsequent forcing

Forcing lilies of the valley in a warm room

Another way to get lilies of the valley in a pot is. We received these lilies of the valley from Holland directly with the roots, and we transplanted ready-made flowering plants into the ground. Therefore, the lifespan of such compositions is no more than 10 days. However, you can try to save the roots until spring and plant them in open ground.